RED SOX 9, YANKEES 2

Slugging outfielders Tony Armas, Dwight Evans and Jim Rice accounted for six runs with homers, powering the Boston over New York.

Backed by a lusty 10-hit attack against New York starter Phil Niekro and his relievers, Boston right-hander Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd earned the victory with help from Bob Stanley. Niekro, who walked home two runs in the third, saw his opening-day record drop to 0-7.

Armas, the major leagues' 1984 home run and RBI champion, tied the score 2-2 with a homer high into the screen in left after Mike Easler led off the second with a single. Evans homered with two outs in the fifth, and Rice hit his with two on in the sixth.